Top Riders Announced For Gateway Cross Cup

Following the launch of the International professional cyclocross season in Las Vegas, the top athletes in the sport are preparing to compete at the 2nd Annual Gateway Cross Cup, Wednesday, September 26th at Heman Park in University City, Missouri. The only event of its type in the region, athletes from across the United States and Europe will be competing for prize money and coveted UCI ranking points that are up for grabs at this internationally sanctioned event.

The field for the event is a who’s who in competitive racing featuring the top professional men and women in the sport. Key American racers are former multi-time Nationals Champions Jonathan Page (Planet Bike/SPY Optics/Blue Bicycles)and Katie Compton (TREK Bicycles) as well as current USGP Single Speed Champion Craig Etheridge (Raleigh/Clement). Top European riders confirmed for the event are French National Champion Caroline Mani and former Belgian U23 Champion Ben Berden, both racing for the Raleigh/Clement cyclocross team. The international cyclocross season was launched September 19th in Las Vegas at CrossVegas during the North American international cycling tradeshow, Interbike. Many of the top finishers at CrossVegas will take the line in St. Louis on Wednesday, September 26st.

In addition to Compton, the women’s field features former US Elite Bronze Medalist Nicole Duke (Raleigh/Clement) as well as local favorites Carrie Cash (Pedal the Cause) and professional triathlete Sunny Gilbert (Michelob Ultra/Big Shark Racing).

The racing begins in the early afternoon with amateur events beginning at 1:30pm. Prior to the men’s and women’s professional events there will be a fun race for children and a 5K held on the race course. The professional events occur in the evening under the lights with the women’s race at 7:50pm and the men’s race at 9:00pm.

A 1.7-kilometer course, approximately one mile in length, will be laid out in Heman Park that takes advantage of the naturally challenging terrain and provide great viewing for the spectators.

The Gateway Cross Cup is an extension of CrossVegas, the largest cyclocross race on the North American calendar. CrossVegas was held on September 19th and attracted over 10,000 spectators to Las Vegas. CrossVegas organizer Watts Marketing is teaming with St. Louis event promoter Mike Weiss to bring the excitement of a mid-week evening race to new markets – that started with St. Louis in 2011. Both races are part of the Cross after Dark series that unites several nighttime races nationwide. Riders will be chasing a large prize list at the end of the series in late October.